From championing innovation born out of necessity to calling on African women to shape ethical artificial intelligence, Prof. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua inspired engineers and STEM professionals to lead with resilience, confidence, and purpose in an AI-driven future.
Prof. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua Ph.D, visionary Founder and CEO of the African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII), led an inspiring session titled “Engineering Intelligence in Action: Empowering the Next Generation of Women in STEM” during the Cummins AME Society of Women Engineers (SWE) International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026 celebration.
Speaking to engineers, technologists, and STEM professionals from across the Africa and Middle East (AME) region, Prof. Ekeng-Itua encouraged African women to embrace their unique strengths, leverage artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly, and take the lead in shaping an innovative, inclusive, and technology-driven future.
Innovating Out of Necessity
Reflecting on her childhood in Calabar, Nigeria, Prof. Ekeng-Itua shared how curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness sparked her passion for engineering. From building a simple one-way telephone using cups and string to experimenting with invisible ink, she explained how everyday experiences nurtured her interest in science and technology.
She also recounted how misconceptions about Africa she encountered while living abroad inspired her to pursue Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where she was one of only six women in a class of more than one hundred students.
Drawing from her personal journey, she described innovation as one of the defining strengths of African women.
“We have the superpower to innovate out of necessity.”
According to Prof. Ekeng-Itua, this ability to create solutions despite limited resources continues to position African women as powerful contributors to engineering, technology, and innovation.
Engineering Human-Centred Solutions
During the “Engineering Intelligence in Action” session, Prof. Ekeng-Itua emphasized that engineering extends beyond developing technologies, it is fundamentally about solving real human problems.
She described African women as uniquely equipped to develop community-centred solutions because they understand the realities, cultures, and everyday challenges of the communities they serve.
Rather than creating technology for its own sake, she encouraged engineers to design practical, human-centred, and culturally grounded solutions capable of addressing real societal needs.
Resilience and Mentorship Drive Success
Another major focus of the session was resilience.
Prof. Ekeng-Itua acknowledged the barriers many women continue to face throughout their engineering careers while celebrating those who remain committed to the profession despite those challenges.
Reflecting on her own journey from undergraduate studies to earning a Ph.D. and building a distinguished career in engineering and academia, she credited mentorship, allyship, and professional networks as key contributors to her success.
She encouraged participants to actively seek mentors while also becoming mentors to others, noting that even a single conversation can transform another woman’s career journey.
Prof. Ekeng-Itua also applauded organisations that intentionally create opportunities for women to thrive through mentorship programmes, leadership initiatives, and supportive professional communities.
African Women Must Help Shape Artificial Intelligence
A central message of the session was the importance of ensuring African women play a leading role in the development of artificial intelligence.
While acknowledging AI’s growing influence across manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, finance, and other industries, Prof. Ekeng-Itua reminded participants that artificial intelligence reflects the people who build it.
She challenged African women to move beyond being consumers of technology and become creators of intelligent systems that are ethical, inclusive, and responsive to African realities.
“We cannot continue to be consumers. We need to be creators of technology.”
Encouraging participants to embrace AI, she urged engineers and technologists to learn emerging technologies, build AI-powered solutions, and integrate artificial intelligence into their respective fields.
Building Ethical and Inclusive AI
Prof. Ekeng-Itua stressed that diversity must remain at the centre of artificial intelligence development.
She noted that African women bring valuable perspectives that can help ensure AI systems are designed with ethics, empathy, fairness, and cultural awareness.
According to her, increasing women’s participation in AI development is essential for creating technologies that truly serve humanity and address the diverse needs of communities around the world.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
Beyond technical expertise, Prof. Ekeng-Itua reminded participants that every woman in engineering serves as a role model for future generations.
She encouraged women to increase their visibility, share their experiences, and intentionally inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
She also highlighted confidence as one of the most important qualities women must continue to develop, encouraging participants to remain resilient, embrace leadership opportunities, and never underestimate the impact they can have on others.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
Concluding the session, Prof. Ekeng-Itua reminded participants that their presence in engineering and technology is purposeful and that every achievement creates opportunities for the next generation.
She encouraged African women to continue breaking barriers, embracing innovation, strengthening their leadership capabilities, and contributing to the development of technologies that solve real-world challenges.
The themes explored throughout the session reflect ATII’s commitment to advancing technology, innovation, research, and education while empowering future-ready leaders to solve real-world challenges.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and societies, Prof. Ekeng-Itua’s message was clear: African women must not merely adapt to the future of technology, they must help define it.
By embracing innovation, leading with confidence, mentoring the next generation, and actively shaping ethical and inclusive AI, African women have the opportunity to influence the future of engineering and technology on a global scale.
Prof. Ekeng-Itua’s session served as a powerful reminder that the future of STEM will be stronger, more inclusive, and more impactful when African women are at the forefront of creating solutions that improve lives and transform communities.